Drumchapel pensioners brought childhood to life with limousine

Carers at Almond View Care Home invited the Post to spend an afternoon with the residents singing karaoke classics, dancing and laughing in a bright pink limousine around the town.

Glasgow Hummers provided the transport for the afternoon (Image: Newsquest)

Activities co-ordinators Andrea Anderson and Annie Muldoon, and carers, Emma Vinniecombe and Margaret Whiteford, helped 12 residents live a life of luxury for a short time in a bid to raise awareness of the effect of dementia and bring core memories to the forefront of the resident's minds.

Budding karaoke singer Mary and her sister Nessie, June, Billy, Duncan, Isa, Margaret, Sandra and her daughter Morag, John, Tommy, Simon and Helen got to take the hour's trip in the car whilst enjoying a glass of non-alcoholic prosecco. 

Mary (right) with her sister Nessie had a great time (Image: Newsquest)

Andrea told the Post: "It was so important to play songs of their time and bring their memories to life. People who suffer from dementia tend to live in their childhood memories, so songs from when they were growing up are essential.

"They tell brilliant stories and live in a period where they are happiest.

"I am just over the moon that they enjoyed themselves. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to pull it off, but they all had a ball and that is what makes this job so worthwhile. We had some of them who usually are very reserved, clap their hands and even sing!"

She added: "It was lovely to see one of our residents Helen sitting by the window waving to everyone at the shopping centre as we drove by and Simon sing a bit of karaoke which is very unlike him.

"He likes to keep himself to himself, so to see him come out of his shell warms all of our hearts.

"I also just want to say a huge thank you to Glasgow Hummers. Their generosity and kindness has made all of this possible. The community are always so supportive and so keen to help out that we can never thank them enough."

Duncan took hold of the mic for some karaoke (Image: Newsquest)

And despite only being in the role for a few months Andrea has plenty more events up her sleeve.

She added: "Annie and myself have many events planned for over the summer. We love hosting karaoke nights as they love singing, but we hope to get them in the garden to enjoy the nice weather.

"We recently held a coronation party which was so fun. We had food supplied by Janet Weir at the Butty Bar and they all got to wear their own crowns whilst having a dance. There were smiles all round which always makes my day."

Millie with three of the carers at Almond View (Image: Newsquest)

To keep updated with the events at Almond View Care Home visit their Facebook page here.